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Some Say It's For Lovers, United States

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Half Mast

Sgt. Merlin German, 22 of Manhattan, N.Y., died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Feb. 22, 2005. On February 20, 2005, an IED exploded underneath LCpl Merlin German's humvee in Fallujah. He was blown out of the turret but he was on fire. After some very brave Marines got to him and put the fire out on their buddy, Merlin was left with 3rd degree burns over 97% of his body. The soles of his feet and the top of his head were the only areas not burned. http://merlinsmiracles.com/

The headlines read with dramatic dread as the pundits shake their heads

Irreverently counting the cost asking how many more kids will be lost?

They should for a second pause and ease their concern over what they consider a lost cause.

They should stop wringing their hands and remember other times and distant lands.

A little history of the Corps they should learn,

They should read the stories of the greatest Marine whose equal few even in the Corps has seen.

Sergeant Dan Daly whose immortal words in polite company can't be heard

Who in the midst of Belleau Woods strife

told his Marines to consider the implications of eternal life

They should ask the youngest boot who's barely learned to salute

Why the stripe in his uniform is red commemorating the blood of the Corps honored dead.

Perhaps they should stand on Surabachis sacred mount

and lament the horrific body count and question

the price that was paid where uncommon valor was so clearly displayed.

Let them go to places with strange sounding names

like Chateau-Thierry, Soissons, St. Mihiel, and Muesu Argonne.

Let them gaze upon these hallowed places

Let them see the tears on old Leathernecks faces

Let them watch as The Proud and The Few in unchanged tradition pass in review.

Then let them try if they dare this current war to compare

and if for a moment after all they have seen believe

this noble cause is lost and not worth the horrible cost

let them try to tell it to a Marine.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Daddy

Tomorrow you will have been gone for 19 years.

It's hard to believe that you have been gone that long. I still miss you. At this time of the year the pain still feels so brand new.

I'm still sad that you weren't able to be there at my high school graduation.

You weren't able to see me walk across the stage to receive my college diploma.

You won't be there to walk me down the aisle when E and I get married.

I didn't grow up with you living in our house and I didn't get to see you that often but you were still my Daddy.

I cherished the moments we shared and I know that I was the light of your life.

You died the day after your oldest sons birthday.

I'm angry that you weren't able to put down the bottle. Weren't we worth living for?

I'm still hurt, sad and angry.

I still miss you like the 15 year old girl who lost her Daddy.